Drug costs skyrocketed this year.

[JayhawkSD]

We have bee covered under United Healthcare provided by my wife's employer for about twelve years now. After a 45% increase in premium at the end of 2010, a 30% increase at the end of 2011 and a 40% increase at the end of 2012, we were cheerfully told that there would be no premium increase at the end of 2013, but that our copays and deductibles would be increased. Indeed they were, such that our out-of-pocket costs will increase from $3000 for 2013 to $4800 for 2014, assuming the same costs for medications.

Well, that just went out the window when I reordered a 90-day supply of medications which I take for Parkinson's Disease. The copay which was $30 three months ago is now $150. (The benefit is stated in the policy as "Copay from $30 to $150 for 90-day supply.") It is not a generic drug.

So I checked the medication which I take to prevent strokes; it went from $20 to $150, even though it is a generic drug. Generic Lipitor went from $20 to $150.

So, given all of the meds that my wife and I take, that increase adds over $3000 per year and means that our out-of-pocket actually went from $3000 last year to $7800 projected for this year.

I am so glad that Obamacare has done such a fine job of redcucing the cost of health care.

[Warpy]

1. Check out the cheap drug lists at Wal Mart, Target and Costco

I have my docs trained, they know the formulary is whatever is on the cheap drug lists. I didn't bother with Part D because all my drugs are cheaper than dirt, and if I need one that isn't, I can now afford it.

The Part D copay might not be necessary for some generic drugs. Just don't mention you have it.

The other thing you can do is order from Canada, something I did for years before WalMart initiated its cheap drugs list (yes, mean old Wally's was first). You will need to have copies of your prescriptions to mail them and you will need to fill out a complete health history online. The pharmacies have a doc that reviews everything and re prescribes the drugs in Canada. Then they mail them out.

I also used to pop down to Mexico on occasion to get things. Since meth labs have moved south over the border, this is no longer a good idea.

Checking prices everywhere will give you the best bet for every drug. Also, that 3 month copay will save you gas money when you don't have to go back every month for a refill.

Also question that $150 copay for 3 months. It should be $90. You can also request monthly refills to drop it back to $30 a month.

[JayhawkSD]

2. Not all health plans are the same

United Healthcare offers literally millions of different plans to different employers. What the employees get is whatever the employers are willing to pay for.

"Also question that $150 copay for 3 months. It should be $90."

Maybe for your plan it's $90. Unfortunately, for mine it's $150. The Parkinson's medication at Rite Aid is $275 for a one month supply. Walmart doesn't carry it.

[Warpy]

3. Your monthly copay was $30

If they've raised it to $50, that would be a bit different.

I have Medicare and I haven't signed up for Part D.

[JayhawkSD]

4. I'm not on Medicare

I'm on United Healthcare, and I can't buy anywhere I want. I have to buy from their mail order service.

My copay was $30 for a three month supply and they raised it to $150 for a three month supply. That's why the title of my original post was "Drug costs skyrocketed..."

[goldent]

5. Something isn't right, at least with the Lipitor generic

They should not charge you more than the cost of the drug, and I'm sure that Lipitor generic will be much less than $150 for 3 months. Places like Express Script "claim" they will not charge you more than the true cost, even if it is below the copay.

I would check some discount pharmacies (Grocery stores, Walmart) and ask for the cash price (no insurance).

There are some drugs I buy outright because it is just as cheap or cheaper than the insurance mail order places.

[JayhawkSD]

6. Yes, I am chacking cash prices on several drugs.

I already buy one medication at Rite Aid on a cash basis because it's cheaper than the United Healthcare copay. After this last increase I'm looking at a couple of the generics. The only $150 copay I've paid so far was the Parkinson's medication because it's not generic. I checked Rite Aid on it and a one month supply is $275, so $150 for three months is not a bad deal.

[historian]

9. thats nothing

IUm taking meds for hepatitis c and they cost 1000$ a pill! Beat that.

[JayhawkSD]

10. I wasn't aware we were running a contest.

If so, I don't mind losing. I'm not the competetive type. Have fun with your victory.

[historian]

11. what a cretinous answer

Of course I'm not running a competitive contest. I was commenting on the insanity of the pharmaceutical industry these days.

[historian]

12. unforutnaly i cant do that with these medications

because they are specialty drugs and not easily obtained. I just had to take what was available. Perhaps in a few once the company has recouped its development costs.

[murphyj87]

7. At Walgreen's in the US.....

my prescriptions would cost $825 a month. (I checked)

Here in Canada, the same prescriptions cost $109 per month, of which the province pays $87.20 (80%) and I pay $21.80 (20%).

[historian]

8. hold on

I have hepatitis C and was put on medication which costs 1000$ per pill! A 3 month treatment is 84000. After a lot of hassle, the insurance co agreed to pay for it, but isn't that scandalous? Good news is that it works - ive hepc for 20 years and this med eredicated it in 3 wks!